Westwood competition proves too hot for U-Dog

When U-Dog, an eatery offering specialty hot dogs at inexpensive
prices, entered Westwood last year, it was a venture directed at
students. It introduced itself with hot dogs for $1, a deal plenty
of students enjoyed, especially when many claimed Westwood is not a
student-friendly town.

Then U-Dog raised its prices. And the students went away. Over
time, the loss of business was too much for this newcomer to the
Village.

Now, with the July 26 closing of U-Dog, Westwood offers one less
eatery, leaving some to wonder what ultimately drove it away and
just what the challenges of doing business in Westwood are, as they
continue to produce empty storefronts.

“Westwood used to be very popular, like the Third Street
Promenade, but now when people want to go out they go to Santa
Monica. This makes business very difficult to be consistent and
extremely competitive in the Village,” said Arwin
Keawgumnordpong, manager of Mr. Noodle in Westwood, which has been
open for six years.

U-Dog manager David Woodward believes the closing of businesses
goes beyond high rent and food costs.

“The community is directed to a student crowd, and
students are always very interested in value, always looking for a
deal. I know what it’s like to be a student on a budget. And
when we raised our prices we saw a drop in customers, mostly
students. It really was the students,” Woodward said.

The short time U-Dog was in business was not entirely
surprising, said Mario Yang, manager of Skew’s, which has
been a part of Westwood for two and a half years now.

“Westwood is a good area to run a business ““
it’s busy. But it’s really competitive. With hot dogs,
I just don’t think you’ll have lines,” Yang
said.

In an attempt to reconcile the closing of U-Dog and many others
like it, Yang said the greatest difficulty for the success of a
business in Westwood is in covering the basic costs of doing
business.

“In Westwood, everything is high. High rent, high cost of
food. It can be very difficult,” Yang said.

Citing the need for the price increase as necessary in response
to financial demands, Woodward claimed U-Dog failed in the face of
a loss in income and patrons.

“We’ve lost several thousand dollars since we opened
in Westwood. I would definitely warn incoming businesses to think
twice before getting in there,” Woodward said in regard to
the location of the shop.

The overabundance of choices in Westwood is a major factor for
the constant flow of coming and going businesses, said Steve Sann,
owner of the Nine Thirty restaurant in Westwood and local
historian.

“Westwood Village is the land of cheap food. And students
are the huge beneficiaries of a range and variety of inexpensive
food,” Sann said.

Referencing the success of Diddy Riese, which offers cheap
cookies and ice cream and opened in Westwood in 1983, Sann
emphasized the need for shop appeal and bargains for success. Sann
said that without these, businesses will ““ and have ““
failed.

“It’s just the nature of business. Businesses will
come and go. It is unfortunate that some go away, but the overall
trend in Westwood is very positive,” Sann said.

Bryne Pyke, a third-year psychology and biology student, said
that the loss of one business means the welcoming of something
new.

“I love Westwood. The more they try and make it a college
town, directed toward the student, the better they will do.
Businesses need students. You’re either cursed by the
students or loved by them,” Pyke said.